So for the third time this morning I have tried to write this entry, but I keep hitting something and the whole thing disappears. Now I am writing this in word and will cut and paste it. Here I go again……
The kids and I have had nothing but good times for the last 10 days. Not a moment of boredom has crossed our path.
It all started on Monday June 18 at 5 am. We left for Fresno to visit with Grandma Ackerman. Torry, a cute young woman from my church, wanted to go to Vegas. Since I was going to end up there eventually, she decided to join us on our adventure. Visiting an “old folks home†is always fun. The old people love the kids and the kids love the old people. Mom had some “chores†for the kids to do to earn money. They thought that was the greatest thing. We had lots of fun helping out grandma, eating in the dinning room and walking grandma’s dog. It was a great beginning to our vacation.
We left a little late on Tuesday morning but it was worth it. The trip was uneventful and Torry was a great help. The kids loved her and she is now lovingly called Auntie Torry. We got into Vegas around 4 pm. It was a grand reunion for the cousins. Steve and Joy were very accommodating and we settled in right away.
Wednesday was swimming and more playing. After Kenneth got home from school we went out to Sam’s club to do some shopping for the wedding luncheon that Joy was asked to cater on Friday. After checking out some good deals we headed home and I left to visit Steve at work. It was a well spent hour. I finally know what Steve does and the people he does it with are very kind. I enjoyed jeering with them about Steve. That night I made a huge meal of pot stickers that everyone seemed to enjoy. After putting the kids to bed, Joy and I talked a little about the luncheon and then watched Night at The Museum. That was a cute movie.
Thursday was boat day. Steve took the whole day off so we could really have some fun. Kenneth, Jaime, Alix and Milo and I all went out. Joy stayed home with the little ones (what a saint). We went to Lake Mead. We left about 10 am and were out on the water by 11. We knee boarded (well, Jaime and Kenneth did, I just put on a comedy show). I skied (again, a comedy show). Too bad there wasn’t a video of my “skiingâ€. It was the funniest thing on the water that day! We anchored the boat a couple of times and the kids would swim in the lake. We stopped at this one spot and the kids got out and swam to shore and “rock climbedâ€. They had a great time doing that. We anchored another time and played catch in the water. We did some tubing. That was FUN. Everyone did that, even Milo and Alix. Again, I tried it, this time though I actually did it and it was fun. We headed back to the car and got home by 6. The whole time we were in the boat, Milo kept asking uncle Steve to go faster. Milo loves speed.
Friday, Jaime went to school with Kenneth. Joy arranged it with Kenneth’s teacher and off they went. Jaime LOVED it. She didn’t have to do all the tests and work but she did do some worksheets and read. They had a fire truck come and it was their p.e. day. She was very excited to come home and tell me all about it. While Jaime was doing that, Joy, her sister Angela, her brother Danny and I went to the church to prepare for the wedding luncheon. It turned out perfect. We let the kids run around and have fun in the church until the luncheon time and then we put a movie on for them. It was fun to work with Joy and her siblings and it was a nice end to a very fun visit. After the luncheon we all went back home and packed up to leave for Utah. We left around 5. I went first and stopped in St. George to visit with an old bishop and his wife. It was great to see them and see their house. They were very accommodating to the children and took them in just like they would their own grandkids. It was a nice stop and we all enjoyed it very much. Steve and Joy met me there and Steve drove the van on to Lehi. It was a good thing too, I got pretty tired and I was glad I did not have to drive. After dropping off Steve I went on to Layton and got to Mandi’s house around 4 am.
Saturday morning came all too early for such a late night but we were eager to get the day started. We went to Mandi’s brother’s house. He is building his house and so we went to help. We stained the front door and prepared the family room to have hardwood installed. It was fun to work along side such wonderful people. Mandi’s mom’s house is right next door so all the kids, 9 in all, just played. It was a great day.
Sunday was church in the morning and then playing in the afternoon. Mandi and I decided we wanted to do a craft project and so we worked on that a little too. We also got out some paint brushes and painted two walls in her upstairs. That was fun.
Monday was zoo day. We got to the zoo at 9 am. It was a perfect day. Not too hot but warm enough to feel like summer. There were 15 kids and 7 adults in our little group. It was fun though, the kids enjoyed having so many people to choose from for playmates. We then took the group on to McDonalds and they got to play a little more. We got back to Mandi’s about 4. We spent the night finishing our craft project and enjoying each other’s company. It was an amazing thing to be with Mandi and her boys. They are good kids and so funny. They kept me laughing. Poor Wes endured us with a smile.
Tuesday was my leaving Mandi day. We had scheduled on last jaunt, the Lehi Legacy Center. Since we were not going to be able to go till 2 in the afternoon, I packed up and came to Niki’s, she lives in Cedar Hills. It was such a fun reunion. Her kids have changed so much and all the children got along perfectly right away. We talked and she showed me her new house and we ate lunch and then we all piled into cars and headed to Lehi. That was a blast!! Mandi came with her sister in law, Niki and her neighbor and Beth (another friend) and then us. It was a fun group. Again, lots of friends to choose from.
So here we are Wednesday morning. Not too much going on yet. We are all in the process of getting dressed and ready for another fun filled day. Kids can just find stuff to do even if we don’t leave. My kids have enjoyed playing so much that they don’t even have time for fights or quarrels.
Tomorrow, off to Colorado. I’ll post again soon.
Comments are closed.
